Yaxel Lendeborg blames himself for Warriors’ loss to Spurs
NBC Sports Bay Area & California • • sports
Key Points:
- The Golden State Warriors suffered a 38-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs in their first game without injured star Steph Curry, scoring only 85 points and allowing an 18-0 run at the start, the worst defensive start in franchise history.
- Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg had a career-worst performance, scoring just three points on 1-of-13 shooting and finishing with a minus-40 plus-minus rating in 23 minutes, expressing deep frustration and self-blame for the team's struggles.
- The Warriors struggled collectively without Curry, particularly against Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, who intimidated the team defensively and forced them into ineffective shots, contributing to their offensive woes.
- Despite Lendeborg's poor showing, the entire starting lineup underperformed, with low shooting percentages and minimal scoring, while role players also failed to contribute meaningfully in consecutive losses after an eight-game winning streak.
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the defeat as a result of facing a hot, well-performing opponent and emphasized moving forward quickly, with the team preparing to face the New Orleans Pelicans next after two days off.
